Carrier for outboard motors



Nov. 20, 1951 M. B. CROSS 2,575,749

CARRIER FOR OUTBOARD MOTORS Filed Nov. '29, 1948 'IIIIIIIIA vnannz. 10":

7 mm. .m i

24m gi' gu INVENTOR. A M/LBl/PN a. 62055 f7 TTOQNEV Patented Nov. 20, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CARRIER FOR OUTBOARD MOTORS Milburn B. Cross, Chino, Calif.

Application November 29, 1948, Serial No. 62,505

3 Claims. 1

My invention relates generally to accessories for outboard motors, and more particularly to a carrier for such motors.

In spite of the widespread popularity achieved by outboard motors for boats, there has heretofore been no simple and rugged carrier for such motors that permits them to be easily and safely stowed in a car or airplane for carrying from one place to another. Many of the owners of such motors have provided canvas or similar covers to enclose and protect them from dust, dirt, and other foreign matter, but even when this is done there is no protection for the motor against external injury from adjacent objects. Racks or similar devices to support the motor in an upright position have been developed for displaying the motors in stores, etc., but it is obvious that a stand intended to display a motor so that all the parts of the latter are readily accessible, is considerably different from a carrier where the various elements of the motor are to be protected.

To secure the maximum protection, the motor must be held securely in the carrier, and the carrier itself must be held against violent movement. For example, many of the outboard motor chute to safety. While the problem is not so severe in the case of motors carried in automobiles, the need for protection still exists.

Consequently, it is a major object of my invention to provide an improved carrier for outboard motors.

Another object of my invention is to provide a carrier of this type that offers mechanical protection to the motor itself.

A further object of my invention is to provide a carrier in which the motor itself may be securely held, and the carrier in turn lashed or otherwise securely held in place.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a carrier having these features that also provides convenient means for grasping and moving the carrier and motor as a unit.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide a carrier with these characteristics that is adapted to receive and protect substantially all of the different types of outboard motors now available, so that by the single purchase of one of my improved carriers, the owner thereof is provided with a carrier that will receive not only his present motor but any other motor he may purchase.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred and modified forms thereof, and from the drawings illustrating those forms in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my improved carrier as it appears prior to the placing of a motor therein;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the carrier shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view, with an outboard motor indicated in phantom outline to show the method of carrying the latter;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2, showing the construction and attachment of the drive shaft retaining means;

Fig. 5 is a view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4

to show the adjustable mounting of the cradle plates; and i Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail view of an optional method of mounting the drive shaft retaining means, this method of construction being used where only motors of a certain predetermined size are to be carried.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to Figs. 1 to 3 thereof, the numeral l0 designates generally a frame having a lower section H and an aligned but non-parallel upper section I2. The sections II and I2 have converging sides, and at their wider ends, the sections are held together by stanchions l3. At the opposite or narrower ends, the sections II and I2 are connected together by shorter stanchions l4, and thus the wider ends of the sections are spaced apart a greater distance than the narrow ends. Within this frame I0 I place the outboard motor IS, the power head,including the gas tank and other upper portions of the motor, being cradled in the wider portion of the framework, while the propeller and lower portions of the motor are located in the narrow section of the frame. As indicated in Fig. 3, when the motor [5 is laid in a horizontal position, the-propeller does not extend so far upwardly as the power head, and consequently the frame adjacent the propeller need not be so high to secure adequate protection for it.

Turning now to a more detailed description of the carrier, the lower section II is preferably I, r r 2,075,749

formed of angle members or other suitable structural form, with an angle member I6 forming one side of the portion H, and a similar member I? forming the other side. As previously mentioned, the members I 6 and I! converge toward each other, and for reasons which will hereinafter become apparent, I prefer to place the angles so that their horizontal flanges or legs form the upper surface of the section I I, while the vertical legs are {on the outside.

7 At the narrower end of the section II, the angles I6 and I? are joined together by an end member 20 that is formed of either straight or curved sections of angle or other suitable mem bers. Though the load imposed upon this section of the lower portion II is not particularly ably, the members 24 rod-like members with downwardly divergent legs, thev legs of both members preferably lying in a single plane which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame I0.

As indicated in Fig. 4, the adjacent legs of the members 24 are preferably perpendicular to the bed plate 22, while the outer or remote legs are at an angle to the adjacent legs and diverge downwardly to the edges of "a base plate 26. The members 24 are preferably welded or otherwise securely held to the base plate 26, and the parallel, adjacent legs extend through the base plate to "pass through the holes 23 of the bed plate, being high, the end member acts as every convenient handle for grasping the frame It. Atthe wider end of the section 'I I, the angles "f6 arid "I I are connected together by a cross-piece 2 I, preferably 'of a fiat o'r strip -like material. 7 p

I thus form a rigid, light 'weig'ht sllb fr ame '61 section "i which is "furtherbraced by a 'lo'edfpla'te 22 extending between 'thes'ide angles I6 and I! hear theend'zil. As indicated inFigs. l and-2, the bed p ate 22 extends along the sides "I6 and I? 'for an appreciable 'd-is'tan'cef'arid is securely re tened to 'these'membe'rs as by welding, rivetmg, "or other suitable means to brace the subfraih'e I land act in the general mariner of a diagonal brace. The cen ral s'ec't'ion o'fl't'he bed plate -22 is provided with "a number of pairs of holes EB-space'd on each side of the axis of the frame Ill, and adapted to receive dri've shaftret'aihing members 2 hereinafter described. I

The previously mentioned stanchions I3 -at the Widenend of'th'e frame H3 are preferably at- "tached to the cross-piece 2'! at the ends thereof, and proiiectfup'wardlyto the upper portion l2 -where theyare attaChed-by'weldin'g"or other suit "able methods. The section I2, like the section II, is preferably formed "of suitable structural form'ss'ucl'i angles, 'andhas side members |6a ans-1m, comparable to the similar sides of the lower section II. Like the last-mentioned sides, "thesides ltdand ITa convergefandjare joined at their tilo'serjends Toy an end section "20a that may be formed of curved or straight sections of'angle members. The previbusly mentioned stanchions I4 are firmly anchored to the sides T6, Ifia, I'I "and Ha to suppbftthe upper' section l2 and main- "tain it in the proper position with respect tdthe "lower "section II. I v

:At the fopposite ends of the upper section I2, 't he-si des "Isa and llaareconnected by a protective eiidfmember that, like the-ends 2iland 20a, inay beFform'ed of straight or curved sections of angle or other structural members. However, 'becauseof thes'hape oif "themoto'r I5 that is car- 'ried 'in the frame 10, the sides lfi'a and Ila are "lo er than theeorrespdhemg si'des Ill and 11 {of the'ldwer section l I, the the end 255 is thus located beyond the end *of the lower section 'II "toencircle the power l fad-bf the motor. It "wnr e ahprediatee that the frame m is "of "*a sine su'fficli'ent to receive a conventional outboard motor t5, without being so much larger "than the motor a to be'wasteful-of space. The rrame '10 also acts in the's'ame general manner "asa crate to protect the motor from external held therein by wing nuts 21 or other suitable holding nfeans. In this manner, the members 24 are securely hel'dto the base plate 26 and to the bed plate 22, while remaining readily adjustable along the axis of the frame Ill to take motors [5 having propeller shafts-of different length.

At the opposite enlarger-end of "the frame. l0,

I prov'ide means to cradle or supportthe 'n'ow er head, including the gasoline tank 'a-nd oth'er as 's o'ci a'ted portions-of the motor I5. -As best-seen in Figs. -2 and 5, this cradle support includes a pair of -'downwardly convergent plates Btmountd V "on angular-1y positionedrods 31 and adjusta jble ing me'iiibers 24 that'engage the 'sides of the shaft along the latter to vary the separation of the plates The lower ends of the rods 3| are 'attached to the cross-piece -2| at points located inwardly from the stanchions 13, while the upper ends of thejr'ods are connected to the upp'erend of the'st'anchions. In this manner, the angularl'y positioned rods 3| act to brace and stiffen the stanchions I3 "and the "frame It), thereby adding rigidity to the entire structure.

The plates 3EI'are preferably curved to conform with the shape of the "portion's of the motor received therein, and also to hold the motor "against longitudinal movement within the frame I ll. Since "motors have power heads of different sizes and shapes, the plates 30 must be adjustable 'if a truly universalcarrier is to be provided. In 'my present design, .I have solved this problem byproviding the plates '38 with outwardly projecting ears 32 thatzaireheld to the rods 3! by means of screws 33. Preferably, the-screwstii clamp the ears-32 to therods 3| sothat the plates 30 may be held in any'desired position along the length of the rods. By reason of the angular positioning of the rods 3|, the plates 30 are separated as they are moved upwardly, away from the cross-piece 21, and are moved toward each other as they are moved toward the crosspiece. held within the frame Ill just as securely as ,a larger motor.

To complete the carrier and to insure the firm holding of the -motor I5 within the carrier, 1 provide straps 34 and 35 riveted or otherwise securely held to the side members I5 and ll of the lower section 11., and provided with a buck-1e 35 or other form of engaging means to hold the motor firmly-in place.

In using my improved carrier, the :plates IE are first positioned in the approximate location where they will properly receive an'ds'upport the power head of the motor I 5. The base plate '26 and the drive shaft retaining members '24 are placed so that these members will engage the "drive shaft of the motor I5 at the proper location. Thenuts 2'! are then tightenedgand the motor I 5 is placed within the carrier I'll. 'At'this time, final ad are formed of. v-shaped Consequently, a small motor I5 may be of the motor I are firmly supported and held against downward movement and also against end movement. Thereafter,. the bolts 33 are tightened to retain this, adjustment, and the straps 34 and 35 are passed over the motor and connected together so that the motor is held againstupward movement with respect to the frame In. It is then a simple matter to carry the entire assembly of frame and motor by grasping the end pieces Na and 25, and the frame may easily be slid along the floor of a luggage compartment of a car by reason of the runnerlike effect of the angle members l6 and H. The frame ID may easily be lashed to suitable members of an airplane or automobile to prevent any movement of the frame, and the motor I5 is firmly held within the frame against any movement with respect thereto.

It will be appreciated that by reason of the construction herein employed, a very lightweight but sturdy carrier is provided. While a heavier carrier may very easily be constructed, the present form affords ample protection for the motor I5, and its light weight renders it just that much easier to handle, In this regard, it will be appreciated that the light weight of my carrier renders it particularly suitable for use in aircraft, and while the various structural members going to make up the complete frame [0 may be formed of steel or iron, I have found that in general, sufiicient rigidity and strength is provided if the members are formed of a lightweight aluminum alloy.

Where the lightest possible weight is desired and the adjustability of my preferred form is not essential, I may use the optional form indicated in Fig. 6. In this form, the upper and lower sections H and 12 are formed as previously indicated, and are joined by stanchions I 3 and I4 as in the preferred form. However, the bed plate 22 is omitted, and instead the base plate 26 is welded or otherwise securely attached directly to the side members l6 and H. The adjacent parallel legs of the drive shaft retaining means 24 are welded or otherwise securely held to the base plate 26a, instead of passing through the latter and the bed plate 22. While this form does not have the adaptability of my preferred form, since it is not intended to receive motors having drive shafts of greatly different lengths, it nevertheless is a very sturdy and efiicient carrier. In all other ways, it is used in the identical manner as the preferred form, and it will be appreciated that in each of these forms, once the initial adjustment of the retaining means 24 and the plates 39 has been accomplished, the motor may thereafter be placed in and removed from the carrier by simply connecting or disconnecting the straps 34 and 35.

It will thus be seen that I have provided an improved carrier for outboard motors that is simple, rugged, and dependable, while providing the maximum necessary protection for the motor. It will be appreciated that such a carrier may be formed from many different suitable structural forms in addition to the angle members mentioned, among such forms being rods, tubes, and channels. However, in each case the fundamental principles of construction remain the same and are clearly within the scope of the invention defined herein. Consequently, I do not wish to be restricted to the particular form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown, except as limited by my claims.

Iclaimz' 1. A carrier for outboard motors which includes: a lower frame having convergent sides; an upper frame generally aligned with said lower frame and having converging sides; members connecting said upper frame to said lower frame to hold the wider ends of said frames farther apart than the narrow ends thereof; upwardly divergent members extending between said upper and lower frames at one end thereof; adjustable cradle members mounted on said divergent members to receive and hold the upper end. of said motor against movement with respect to said frames and in a position wherein the major portion of said motor is between said upper and lower frames; and bifurcated retaining means movably mounted between said upper and lower frames for adjustment along the longitudinal axis thereof, to receive the propeller end of said motor and hold it against lateral movement with respect to said frames.

2. A carrier for outboard motors which includes: a lower frame having converging side members, an end member at the narrow end of said frame joining said side members, and a crosspiece extending between said side member at the wider end of said frame; an upper frame having converging side members, an end member at the narrow end of said frame to connect said side members, and a larger end piece at the wider end of said frame, extending between said side members; stanchions connecting said upper and lower frames together, the stanchions at the wider ends of said frames being taller than those at the narrow ends of said frames so that said frames converge toward their narrow ends; u wardly divergent rod-like members extending from said cross-piece to the upper ends of said longer stanchions: cradle members adiustably mounted on said rod-like members for movement along the axes of the latter, said cradle members being curved to receive and hold the upper end of a motor against movement with respect to said frames, said motor when so held having its maior portion between said frames and protected thereby; a bed plate ri idly connected between said side members of said lower frame and having a number of pairs of holes therein along the longitudinal axis of said frame, the holes of each of said pairs of holes being laterally aligned and on opposite sides of said axis; a base plate for mounting on said bed plate: and spaced retain n members mounted on said base plate and held thereto, the ends of said retaining members being positioned to extend through a pair of said holes in said bed plate, and said members adapted to receive the propeller end of said motor to hold the latter against displacement with respect to said frames.

3. A carrier for outboard motors which includes: a lower frame having converging side members, an end member at the narrow end of said frame joining said side members, and a crosspiece extending between said side members at the wider end of said frame; an upper frame having converging side members, an end member at the narrow end of said frame to connect said side members, and a larger end piece at the wider end of said frame, extending between said side members; stanchions connecting said upper and lower frames together, the stanchions at the wider ends of said frames being taller than those at the narrow ends of said frames so that said frames converge toward their narrow ends; upwardly divergent rod-like members extending from said enew-49 cross-piece to the upper ends of said longer -stanchions; cradle members adjustably mounted 'on s'aid rod-iike members for movement along the "axes of the latter, *saidcradle members being curved to receive and hold the upper end of a frames, said motor when-s0 held having itsmajor port ion'between said frames and protected thereby; a base plate rigidly connected between said side members of said lower frame near'the narrowend-of said frame; andspaced retaining members mounted on said base plate to receive the :propeller end of said motor and hold the latter against displacement with respect to saidframe.

MILBURN B. CROSS.

' motor against movement with respect to said 7 REFERENCES CITED The following references 'are of record in the file of this patent:

UN ITE D STATES PATENTS Number Name Date f 396,372 Schreiberl l Jan. I5, 1889 832,663 Garver l -l Oct. 9,1906

1,874,299 Jarvis n Aug.'30, 1932 2,313,423 DOdd Mar. 9, 1943 2,404,673 'VOlf July 23, 1946 2,475,135 De Haven July5,.1949 

